Chapter 255

Coach Hannah runs over to help me up, but I’m too dizzy to stand. I just got nailed hard—and not in a good way.

The music keeps on pounding through the stadium, and the other girls finish their dance to cheers and clapping from both sides. Pretty sure everyone thinks that was accidental. Except for me. And Zack.

He storms over in a rush, panting hard and soaked in sweat, his dark hair plastered to his forehead. I manage finally to find my feet and push past Coach Hannah to intercept him on his way over.

“Don’t,” I murmur through the blood. I’m starting to wonder if my nose might be broken. It hurt too much, and now it doesn’t hurt at all … Not a good sign. My body’s trying to protect me from the agony. “Zack, don’t.”

“I don’t care if they are girls, I’m going to break their faces.”

“No, you aren’t.” I put my palms on his chest as he stands there, huge and muscular and panting, trying to come to my rescue in the only way he knows how. Just like with Tris